3 minute read

A snapshot of day one of the fifth Ashes Test between Australia and England in Hobart.

AUSTRALIA v ENGLAND, FIFTH TEST, DAY ONE:

Score: Australia 6-241

Summary: After winning the toss, England struck early with the pink ball to reduce Australia to 3-12. Marnus Labuschagne rallied with a quickfire 44. Travis Head kept up the counter-attack, notching his second century for the series on return to the side. Head shared a 121-stand with Cameron Green, who fell to a Mark Wood short-ball trap. Persistent drizzle ironed out a chunk of the final session.

Man of the moment: Travis Head crunched 12 boundaries in his 101 off 113 balls. The No.5 came to the crease after David Warner, Usman Khawaja and Steve Smith fell cheaply but was able to wrestle back momentum.

Key moment: Labuschagne was bowled in bizarre fashion in an action-packed opening session. He produced several audacious shots before falling to England veteran Stuart Broad. The world's top-ranked Test batter got too far across his stumps, slipped, and ended up flat on the deck after the ball passed him.

Stat of the day: Head's century came at a strike rate of 89.38 runs per 100 balls. His 349 runs this series have been scored at a rate of 87.50.

Quote of the day: "I've come off some strong Shield seasons to know my game is in good order" - Head